Electrical plural-switch mechanism



Sep 1959 H. R. FOSTER ETAL 2,906,832

ELECTRICAL PLURAL-SWITCH MECHANISM Filed Dec. 17, 1956 l l 32 l 1 I W" i 5 JL J L AL! I J INV NTORS Harry R. aster E Cram A 'TTORNEYS United States Patent ()fitice 2,935,832 Patented Sept. 29, 1959 ELECTRICAL PLURAL-SWITCH MECHANISM Harry R. Foster, Montville, Elmo E. Crump, West Caldwell, and Philip C. Demarest, Pine Brook, N.J., assignors to Uhmega Laboratories, Pine'Brook, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 17, 1956, Serial No. 628,890

Claims. (Cl. 200-18) This invention relates to electric switches, and more particularly toswitch mechanisms employing a plurality of switching devices intended to be variously actuated from a single operating member.

Often, in connection with electrical or electronic equipment, it is desired that a number of circuits be controlled in various manners, as for example simultaneously, or one after another, either for the purpose of closing said circuits or opening the same. Where simple selector switching is needed, the multi-position tap switch has found wide acceptance, and in the case of simultaneous control of a plurality of separate circuits the provision of multi-deck tap or selector switches has proven satisfactory.

However, it is at times necessary to effect such switching by a quick make-and-break contact means, and in this circumstance the simple tap or selector switch mechanisms, either single deck or multiple deck, are not suitable.

An object of the present invention is to'provide a novel and improved electric switching mechanism by which a plurality of snap action switches may be easily and quickly actuated, to control individual or separate circuits with a snap action make or break.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved electric switching mechanism as above character'- ized, wherein the snap-action switches may bev variously operated, either sequentially, simultaneously or in a predetermined irregular or regular order or sequence, in response to operation of a single movable member or handle.

A still further object of the invention is to-provide an improved snap action switch mechanism of theabove type, wherein there is at all times positively preventedinadvertent or unintended actuation of the individual snapaction switches.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improved sequential or selecting type snap-acting switch mechanism, wherein existing snap or toggle switch units as currently available on the market, may be ad vantageously utilized.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved selector or seqeuntial switch mechanism characterized by a plurality of snap-acting switch units, Wherein a single master operator or handle having a plurality of switching positions, is normally yieldably held in any of said positions against inadvertent dislodgment therefrom.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improved multi-circuit switching mechanism characterized by snap-action in closing and opening'the circuits, wherein any desired combination or sequence of switch operations may be easily provided.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved switch mechanism having all of the above advantages and features, which is nevertheless simple and economical to fabricate, easy to operate and reliable 2, throughout an extended period'of use, thereby minimizing service requirements.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts wherever possible in the several views, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an improved switch mechanism made in accordance with the invention.

Fig, 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a rear end elevational view of the switch of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top view of the base member and several switch units.

Referring to Fig. l, the switching mechanism shown therein comprises a base 10 of elongate, generally rectangular configuration. Such base, for example, may be constituted in the manner of a metal chassis, as is commonly provided for radio and other electronic equipment. Thebase 10 may have a top portion or plate 11, depending elongate side portions 12, and depending end portions 13 by which it constitutes in effect a shallow, inverted, open box.

By this invention there is provided on the base 10 and rigidly secured thereto a plurality of. individual snap switches 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20, shown as being of the familiar toggle type having mounting barrels 22 and also having respectively actuating levers 24,25, 26, 27, 28 and 29.. As clearly shown in Fig. 2, the switches 1520. may be readily mounted on the top plate 11 of the base 10 by the usual mounting means provided, comprising the threaded barrels 22 and clamping nuts carried thereby.

The switches 15-20 are preferably secured in a row on the base 10, being substantially in alignment. Also, for the purpose of smooth action, the axes of the fulcrums of the levers 24-29 are preferably, although not necessarily, disposed diagonally with respect to the longitudinal sides 12 of the base 10, whereby the travel or path of movement of the levers is not exactly longitudinal of the base but in a direction making a small or acute angle, with respect to the longitudinal axis ofthe base.

It will be readily understood that the switches 15-20 may be individually connected to separate circuits all independent of each other, where this may be desired or necessary, or they may have common connections where a simpler type of selecting operation is involved. Also, the switches 1520 may be of various types, as for example, single pole single throw, single pole double throw, double pole single throw, double pole double throw, three-way, etc. Additionally, the switches 15-20 may be biased to on positions, biased to off positions, etc., although in the embodiment of the invention illustrated herein the switches are shown as being two-position. switches adapted to normally remain in either position.

Secured to the opposite end portions of the base 10 are uprights 32 and 33, provided respectively with bearings 34, 35 in which shafts 36 bear. One shaft 36 may carry a handle or actuating knob 37, by which the shaft 36-may= be turned.

Between the uprights 32 and 33, or more properly the bearings 34 and 35 thereof, the shafts 36 carry a rotary operator member 40 in the form of a drum or cylinder, said operator being provided with a plurality of pairs of cams 41-42, 43-44, 45-46, 47-48, 49-50, and 51-52. The pairs of cams thus provided are adapted to engage and actuate respectively the switch levers 24-29 in response to turning movements imparted to the drum or operator 40, and reverse movement of the drum 40 will effect reverse actuation of the switch levers. As shown, the pairs of cams 41-42, 43-44, etc., are

located in different sequential positions circumferentially about the drum 40, thereby to cause a sequential actuation of the switch lever 24-29. It should be understood, however, that this particular arrangement is not limiting, since some of the pairs of cams may be located in alignment with each other axially of the drum 40, or in various other combinations or positions, to effect a desired sequential or simultaneous actuation of the switch levers.

Considering the cams 41, 42 and the switch lever 24 it will be seen that counterclockwise movement of the drum 40 as viewed from the left end thereof in Fig.

1, will enable the cam 41 to shift the lever 24 from left to right. After this has occurred, opposite turning movement of the drum 40 will enable the cam 42 to shift the lever 24 from right to left. A similar action occurs with respect to the cams 43, 44 and lever 25, the cams 45, 46 and the lever 26, etc.

Also, in accordance with this invention, means are provided on the drum 40, extending into the path of movement of the switch levers 2429 when the cams are out of engagement with said levers, to block the levers and prevent unintentional actuation thereof. This means comprises a plurality of circular members 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60, one for each of the switch levers, said members preferably extending through an arc of more than 270 degrees around the circumfer' ence of the drum 40, as shown in Fig. 2. The mem' bers 55-60 are secured to the drum 40 in positions as determined by the associated pair of cams, and when a switch lever is onone side of the member, it may not be actuated to operate the switch, since the member would block the lever and prevent such actuation. Thus, only actuation of the switch levers may take place where the pairs of cams are located, and of course at these places the members 5560 are cut away to provide the necessary clearance.

Also, in accordance with this invention, I provide a detent means in conjunction with the rotary operator 40, to position the latter so that it corresponds with various definite open or closed positions of the switches 15-20. In accomplishing this I provide on the other shaft 36 a star wheel 65 engaged by a roller 66 of a detent arm 67, the latter being pivotally carried by a stud 68 secured to an end plate 13 of the base 10. The detent arm 67 is biased by means of a coil spring 69, so as to maintain the roler 66 in engagement with the star wheel 65 at all times. The engagement of the roller 66 with the notches of the star wheel 65 provide an efiective and smooth detent action, by which the user of the switch will be apprised of the various possible positions of the knob 37 for which the switches 1520 are in their rest positions, either closed or open. V

It will be readily understood from the foregoing that I have provided a novel and improved, greatly sirn plified, multiple switch device by which a plurality of circuits maybe effective y controlled with a snap action. The circuits may be either closed or opened sequentially, or simultaneously, or in various combinations as required by the apparatus to which the mechanism is attached. Moreover, the present improved switch utilizes snap switch units of the toggle type which are readily procurable on the market and which may be easily and quickly rep aced if they become defective at a later time. The structure of the present switching echanism is seen to be extremely simple and economical to manufacture, and reliable in operation throughout an extended period of use.

By virtue of the axes of the switch lever fulcrums being disposed diagonally with respect to the base it), a very smooth camming action is obtained, further enhancing the reliability of the switch mechanism.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

We claim:

1.A multicircuit electric switch mechanism comprising a plurality of snap switches each having an actuating lever, said levers being disposed in a row in substantially aligned relation to each other; a rotary operator disposed adjacent and extending along said row of levers, said operator having an axis of rotation extending transversely of the fulcrum axes of said -levers; and means including opposed pairs of cams on said operator adapted to engage said levers, for reversely actuating the latter in response to reverse turning movements of the operator, said levers extending between the cams of said pairs and said cams being spaced apart a distance substantially greater than the thickness of said levers, thereby to provide clearance for enabling the levers to have a snap action, the fulopposed pairs of cams on said operator adapted to engage said levers, for reversely actuating the latter in response to reverse turning movements of the operator, said levers extending between the cams of said pairs and said cams being spaced apart a distance substantially greater than the thickness of said levers, thereby to provide clearance for enabling the levers to have a snap action; an elongate base mounting the switches in a longitudinal row thereon; and means including uprights on the ends of said base and bearings carried by said uprights, mounting the rotary operator for turning movement above the switches with its axis extending longitudinally of the base, the fulcrum axes of the switch levers extending diagonally with respect to the base.

3. A multicircuit electric switch mechanism comprising a plurality of snap switches each having a snap-acting contact member and an actuating snap lever constituted as a member separate from the said contact member, said levers being disposed in substantially aligned relation to each other; a rotary operator disposed adjacent and extending along said levers, said operator having an axis of rotation extending transversely of the fulcrum axes of the said levers; means including opposed pairs of cams on said operator, adapted to engage said levers for reversely actuating the latter in response to reverse truning movements of the operator; and means on said rotary operator, extending into the path of movement of said levers when the cams are out of engagement therewith, thereby to effect a blocking of the levers and prevent unintentional actuation thereof, said levers extending between the cams of said pairs and said cams being spaced apart a distance substantially greater than the thickness of said levers, thereby to provide clearance for enabling the levers to have a snap action, said rotary operator comprising a drum, said blocking means comprising a circular, discontinuous. member carried by the drum and extending around the latter, and the ends of said circular member being disposed adjacent the said cams.

4. A multicircuit electric switch mechanism comprising a plurality of switches, each having an actuating lever, said levers being disposed in substantially aligned relation to each other; a rotary operator disposed adjacent and extending along said levers, said operator having an axis of rotation extending transversely of the fulcrum axes of said levers; means including cams on said operator, adapted to engage said levers for reversely actuating the latter in response to reverse turning movements of the operator; means on said rotary operator, extending into the path of movement of said levers when the cams are out of engagement therewith, thereby to effect a blocking of the levers and prevent unintentional actuation thereof, said rotary operator comprising a drum, and said blocking means comprising a circular discontinuous member carried by the drum and extending around the latter, the ends of said circular member being disposed adjacent the said cams, and the said circular member being in the form of a fiat washer having a radial cut through it.

5. A multi-circuit electric switch mechanism comprising a plurality of snap switches each having an actuating lever, said levers being disposed in substantially aligned relation to each other; a rotary operator disposed adjacent and extending along said levers, said operator having an axis or rotation extending transversely of the fulcrum axes of said levers; means including cams on said operator, adapted to engage said levers for reversely actuating the latter in response to reverse turning movements of the operator; means on said rotary operator, extending into the path of movement of said levers when the cams are out of engagement therewith, thereby to effect a blocking of the levers and prevent unintentional actuation thereof,

said rotary operator comprising a drum, said blocking means comprising a circular discontinuous member carried by the drum and extending around the latter, and said member being in the form of a flat washer having a radial cut through it, said cams comprising a pair of fiat strips disposed in spaced parallel relation and extending diagonally with respect to the axis of the drum.

References Cited in the file of this patent 

